Phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI) by Desmodesmus subspicatus: Impact on growth and biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, chlorophyll and lipid) — A dual mode investigation

Microalgae are under research focus for the simultaneous production of biomolecules (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, pigments and lipids) and bioremediation of toxic substances from wastewater. The current study explores the capability of indigenously isolated microalgae (Desmodesmus subspicatus) for the phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI). Variation of biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, lipid and chlorophyll) was investigated during phycoremediation. D. subspicatus survived up to the toxicity level of 10 mg/L for As(III) and 0.8 mg/L for Cr(VI). A 70% decline in carbohydrate accumulation was observed at 10 mg/L of As(III). An increased content of proteins (+ 28%) and lipids (+ 32%) within the cells was observed while growing in 0.5 and 0.2 mg/L of As(III) and Cr(VI) respectively. A decrease in carbohydrate accumulation was noted with increasing Cr(VI) concentration, and the lowest (− 44%) was recorded at 0.8 mg/L Cr(VI). D. subspicatus showed an excellent maximum removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and As(III) as 77% and 90% respectively.